HC Deb 12 July 1949 vol 467 cc208-10
The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

It will be necessary to make an alteration in the Business announced for tomorrow, and I hope to have the co-operation of the House in this matter in the new circumstances. We propose to take Business tomorrow in the following order:

Consideration of His Majesty's Message relating to the state of emergency, and of the Motion to approve the Regulations made under the Emergency Powers Act, 1920.

We then hope that it will be possible to obtain the Second Reading of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill [Lords] and the Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution; the Report and Third Reading of the Housing (Scotland) Bill; the Committee stage of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside [Money] (No. 2) Resolution; and to consider the two Motions on the Paper relating to National Service (Adaptation of Enactments) Orders.

On Friday, in addition to the Business already announced, we hope that there will be time to consider the Report and Third Reading of the Airways Corporations Bill.

Mr. Gallacher

In view of the fact that I went out, in answer to a message, at 3 o'clock and saw what looked like a meeting of the usual channels out there in the Lobby—I nearly introduced myself but felt I should not be welcome—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."]—what I want to know is, How is the discussion going to be conducted tomorrow? As a rule we get a Motion of this kind which is spoken to by a Minister, and then we have the same speech made by the Leader of the Tory Party, and the same speech by the Leader of the Liberal Party, and then, possibly, at some time someone who opposes may also be called. I want to ask the Leader of the House whether he will consider making a statement on this Message from the King and then arranging, otherwise than through the usual channels, that those who are opposed—

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member is talking of my business. I select the speakers, and I trust I shall choose fairly tomorrow. It has nothing to do with the Leader of the House or the Leader of the Opposition. It is my business the hon. Member is talking about.

Mr. Gallacher

I was asking a question of the Leader of the House.

Mr. Thurtle

On a point of Order. Is it in Order for an hon. Member to seek to get from you, Mr. Speaker, a statement before a Debate takes place that he is to be called?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member must wait and see. As I have said, I always try to see that all points of view are represented in a Debate.

Mr. Gallacher

I am sorry if I have been misunderstood. I was addressing those remarks to the Lord President. I was asking the Leader of the House whether after he has made his statement in support of the Message from the King, he will arrange for those who are opposed—and there is a number of Members who are opposed: I am not speaking of myself.

Mr. Speaker

The Leader of the House cannot arrange that. That is my business. It has nothing to do with the Leader of the House at all.

Mr. Gallacher

I want to be clear on this. Is it not the practice—I do not say, of course, that you have not the power to decide, Mr. Speaker—but is it not the case that through the usual channels arrangements of this kind can be made, and that you follow?

Mr. Speaker

No, certainly not. I do not approve of arrangements between the Front Benches. Often back benchers are "done" in that way. So far as I am concerned, it is going to be my selection and that of nobody else.

Mr. Thurtle

Is not the very suggestion that arrangements can be made, a reflection on the Chair?

Mr. Gallacher

The hon. Member is "nuts."

Mr. Speaker

Such arrangements are not made with my approval.